Cheltenham Market Movers 2011: Wednesday

8.45 UPDATE: It’s still early days in the betting but there are a couple of market movers to flag up. Firstly in the 4.00 Coral Cup; Ballyhaunis has come in for decent support in the last 24 hours and is now 14/1 from 25/1.

In the RSA Chase the bookmakers are looking to get Time For Rupert beat, with most firms pushing him out to 5/2 from 9/4. Although it is unlikely he will get much bigger as the 11/4 offer by Paddypower was quickly snapped up.

In the Champion Chase Big Zeb is clinging on to favouritism at 3/1 but there are bits of support for Master Minded. Coral go a standout 4/1 on the former Champion regaining the thread.

10.39 UPDATE: The betting markets have livened up in the last couple of hours as the punters plan their lines of attack. In the 2.05 Neptune Novices’ Hurdle the Irish are piling into So Young, one of the best backed horses of the morning. He is a 5/2 generally from 3/1.

As mentioned earlier the bookmakers got after Time For Rupert and are starting to buckle under the weight of money. He is back into 9/4 from 5/2. However William Hill are still standing their 3/1 enhanced win only price, I doubt that will last beyond 11am.

11.08 UPDATE: As part of their happy hour promotion Stan James are going a stand out 9/2 Master Minded until midday.

12.28 UPDATE: There is no question that So Young is the gamble of the day in the 2.05 Neptune Novices’ Hurdle. Looking at the betting; 9/4 is the best price available with other bookmakers going 2/1. The money keeps on coming for the Mullins/Walsh partnership.

In the RSA, Time For Rupert is available at 11/4 with Bet365, Boylesports and Sportingbet. The rest don’t want to know and have him at 9/4. There is bits of money for Mikael D’Haguenet 9/1 (from 11/1) in the hope he can still show his class over the big obstacles.

In the Champion Chase, Stan James’ 9/2 on Master Minded was smashed into, only three firms now go 4/1.  Big Zeb is still 3/1 favourite in what seems quite an open market for the race.

There have been numerous moves as you would expect in the 4.00 Coral Cup. Three to flag up are: Call The Police 11/2 (from 6/1), Ballyhaunis 11/1 (from 18/1) and Lightning Strike 22/1 (from 40/1).

13.53 UPDATE: Chicago Grey winning the first has given a boost to Time For Rupert’s form. All the 11/4 has gone, best you can get now is 9/4.

So Young all the rage in the Neptune. If this comes in it will cost the bookmakers a fortune. It could start shorter than 2/1.

14.25 UPDATE: First Lieutenant took the Neptune Novices’ Hurdle by the shortest of heads but remains unquoted for the 2012 Champion Hurdle as his future lies chasing. The vanquished, Oscars Well and So Young are 20/1 and 25/1 with Bet365 for the race.

14.52 UPDATE: Another good race for the bookmakers as the well backed Time For Rupert ran flat and finished unplaced. It was a rough race but a good result for Betting Bias followers. Our National Hunt expert tipped Boston’s Angel at 16/1.

15.00 UPDATE: Champion Chase next, the big race of the day and Master Minded could start favourite. Currently 10/3.

1534 UPDATE: It is turning into quite a day for the Irish with Sizing Europe winning the Champion Chase. He is a top price 8/1 with the sponsors Sportingbet to win the race in 2012. Runner-up Big Zeb is 10/1 to regain his crown. As for Master Minded, it could be that his best days are behind him and Skybet go 16/1 on him winning next year.